isitors to the Cannes boat show are no
longer surprised to fi nd a brand new
vessel from Monte Carlo Yachts making
its international debut. In its short lifetime,
the shipyard has done so seven times so far,
and counting. It seems to have become a habit.
The MCY 96 slots into the range between
the 86 and the 105, and in common with those
two notably spacious yachts, its design places great
emphasis on square metres: on the massive fl ybridge
beneath its equally impressive carbon hardtop, on
the capacious main deck which sweeps on one level
from transom to saloon bulkhead, and down below too, where
owners can choose between three and four-cabin layouts. A raised
pilothouse sits above the two lower-deck companionways. Placing
the galley down forward in the crew area has freed up space for
the saloon, whose huge windows and optional balconies make
spectacular use of the hull’s generous beam. The master cabin
on the main deck is similarly well endowed with glass, both
inside and out – for those cutaway bulwarks, shaped to promote
the views from within, are also glazed.
Other small but nifty design touches worthy of note include
the fabric sunroof in the hardtop, which instead of hanging when
open in an unsightly concertina of folds, disappears completely
inside the carbon shell. By the dining table on the main deck,
fi tted sliding shelves for glassware and crockery can be locked
in place for going to sea. And not only is there no step to trip
unwary guests between the cockpit and saloon, the cockpit
doors folds away completely to port.
This kind of intelligent thinking goes right back to the beginning
of every boat from Monte Carlo Yachts, which is well known
for its modular construction methods, where the interiors are
manufactured, plumbed and wired in their entirety outside the
hull before being lifted and glued into place. This means that more
people can get at their tasks, and get them done more quickly – 45
to 50% more quickly, according to the shipyard. The entire lower-
The carbon-fi bre hardtop helps
keep the centre of gravity lowThe versatile foredeck seating area is a
great place to hang out during the daydeck assembly of the 96 sits on a ‘soft suspended’ aluminium
frame which has no direct contact with the hull, reducing noise
and vibration. From start to fi nish, an MCY 96 takes four-and-
a-half months to build.
But a rigorous approach to streamlined production doesn’t
mean that the shipyard lacks fl exibility with customisation. Both
the saloon and the fl ybridge come with various custom options, as
does the master cabin, and construction can be adapted to suit the
owner’s classifi cation preferences, under CE or MCA regulations.
The interior decor can also be specced. You can choose the tint of
the windows, for example, as well as the fabrics and fi nishes, and
our test boat, the fi rst off the production line, exhibited a cheerful
and pleasing selection of tones, textures and attention to detail.MCY 96